Kerala Reinstates ‘Niramaya’ Comprehensive Health Insurance for Persons with Disabilities
The ‘Niramaya’ comprehensive health insurance scheme, which caters specifically to persons with disabilities, has been reinstated in Kerala. The benefits of Niramaya will be available to individuals falling under the categories of Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disability, as defined by the National Trust Act. Minister R. Bindu announced that ₹75 lakh has been allocated for the resumption of the scheme, which will be implemented in collaboration with LIC.
This decision was made after evaluating the situation where the State Health Agency was unable to launch a standalone insurance scheme for persons with disabilities. Minister R. Bindu, who is in charge of the Social Justice Department, had suggested that the funds for Niramaya be allocated from the state government’s plan outlay. Following this recommendation, it was decided to restart the Niramaya insurance scheme as a special insurance plan for persons with disabilities. The decision allows for the continuation of the scheme’s activities through ALC, utilizing funds available to the Social Justice Department in the 2025-26 financial year.
From 2017 to March 2023, the Social Justice Department had fully paid the beneficiary premium amounts for the scheme, ensuring free insurance coverage. For the 75,000 beneficiaries of the scheme, the government had allocated ₹250 for APL (Above Poverty Line) categories and ₹50 for BPL (Below Poverty Line) categories for joining the plan.
During the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan period, as part of coordinating and implementing medical insurance schemes, it was decided to merge insurance schemes like Niramaya and other medical assistance and medical insurance into the State Health Agency, expanding the Karunya Arogya Insurance Scheme. Furthermore, it was agreed to ensure health coverage under the Karunya Arogya Suraksha Scheme for all individuals in the state with 40% or more disability, and for transgender individuals. Consequently, funds were not included in the budget from 2023 onwards.